Rudder technologies for outboard motors

ABSTRACT

A device including an outboard motor including a jet outlet portion, a stabilizer plate, and a rudder, where the stabilizer plate includes a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion is proximal to the jet outlet portion, where the second end portion is distal to the jet outlet portion, where the rudder extends from the stabilizer plate between the first end portion and the second end portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/441,997filed Feb. 24, 2017; which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, this disclosure relates to watercraft. More particularly,this disclosure relates to outboard motors.

BACKGROUND

In this disclosure, where a document, an act, and/or an item ofknowledge is referred to and/or discussed, then such reference and/ordiscussion is not an admission that the document, the act, and/or theitem of knowledge and/or any combination thereof was at a priority date,publicly available, known to a public, part of common general knowledge,and/or otherwise constitutes any prior art under any applicablestatutory provisions; and/or is known to be relevant to any attempt tosolve any problem with which this disclosure is concerned with. Further,nothing is disclaimed.

Many boats employ outboard motors for propulsion/steering purposes. Whenthe outboard motors include jet drives, then operating such boats canbecome difficult under idle or low speeds, such as when boating througha low-wake zone or when loading onto a trailer.

SUMMARY

This disclosure at least partially addresses at least one of aboveinefficiencies. However, this disclosure can prove useful to othertechnical areas. Therefore, various claims recited below should not beconstrued as necessarily limited to addressing any of the aboveinefficiencies.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a device comprises anoutboard motor including a jet outlet portion, a stabilizer plate, and arudder, where the stabilizer plate includes a first end portion and asecond end portion, where the first end portion is proximal to the jetoutlet portion, where the second end portion is distal to the jet outletportion, where the rudder extends from the stabilizer plate between thefirst end portion and the second end portion.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a method comprisesaccessing an outboard motor including a jet outlet portion and astabilizer plate, where the stabilizer plate includes a first endportion and a second end portion, where the first end portion isproximal to the jet outlet portion, where the second end portion isdistal to the jet outlet portion; and coupling a rudder to thestabilizer plate between the first end portion and the second endportion.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a method comprisesoperating a boat with an outboard motor, where the outboard motor isequipped with a jet outlet portion, a stabilizer plate, and a rudder,where the stabilizer plate includes a first end portion and a second endportion, where the first end portion is proximal to the jet outletportion, where the second end portion is distal to the jet outletportion, where the rudder extends from the stabilizer plate between thefirst end portion and the second end portion.

This disclosure is embodied in various forms illustrated in a set ofaccompanying illustrative drawings. Note that variations arecontemplated as being a part of this disclosure, limited only by a scopeof various claims recited below.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The set of accompanying illustrative drawings shows various exampleembodiments of this disclosure. Such drawings are not to be construed asnecessarily limiting this disclosure. Like numbers and/or similarnumbering scheme can refer to like and/or similar elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a back perspective view of an embodiment of a boat havingan outboard motor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pairof rudders according to this disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of an embodiment of a lower unit ofan outboard motor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pairof rudders according to this disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a lateral profile view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of ruddersaccording to this disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a lateral profile view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudderswhere the stabilizer plates can rotate with respect to a lower unit ofthe outboard motor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboard motorequipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders wherethe stabilizer plates can flap with respect to a lower unit of theoutboard motor according to this disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudderswhere the rudders are able to rotate with respect to the stabilizerplates according to this disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboard motorequipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders wherethe rudders are able to travel along the stabilizer plates according tothis disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboard motor equippedwith a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders where the ruddersare able to pivot with respect to the stabilizer plates according tothis disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboard motor equippedwith a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of co-aligned ruddersextending from each of the stabilizer plates according to thisdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboard motor equippedwith a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of offset rudders extendingfrom each of the stabilizer plates according to this disclosure.

FIGS. 11A, 11B show a schematic view of a rudder and a stabilizer plateaccording to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is now described more fully with reference to the set ofaccompanying illustrative drawings, in which example embodiments of thisdisclosure are shown. This disclosure can be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to theexample embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the example embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fullyconveys various concepts of this disclosure to those skilled in arelevant art.

Features described with respect to certain example embodiments can becombined and sub-combined in and/or with various other exampleembodiments. Also, different aspects and/or elements of exampleembodiments, as disclosed herein, can be combined and sub-combined in asimilar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whetherindividually and/or collectively, can be components of a larger system,wherein other procedures can take precedence over and/or otherwisemodify their application. Additionally, a number of steps can berequired before, after, and/or concurrently with example embodiments, asdisclosed herein. Note that any and/or all methods and/or processes, atleast as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via atleast one entity in any manner.

Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full orpartial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, whenan element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, then the element can be directly on, connected orcoupled to the other element and/or intervening elements can be present,including indirect and/or direct variants. In contrast, when an elementis referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present.

Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notnecessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are used todistinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from various teachings of this disclosure.

Various terminology used herein is for describing particular exampleembodiments and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of thisdisclosure. As used herein, various singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”are intended to include various plural forms as well, unless a contextclearly indicates otherwise. Various terms “comprises,” “includes”and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification,specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence and/oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, a term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of a set ofnatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances.

Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein withreference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediatestructures) of this disclosure. As such, variations from variousillustrated shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, various example embodimentsof this disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited tovarious particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are toinclude deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or beseparately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assemblyand/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can bemanufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additivemanufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and/or other any other typesof manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes includethree dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numericalcontrol routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming,hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/or include,whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral,an amorphous material, a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an organic solid,such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, asemiconductor, a nanomaterial, a biomaterial and/or any combinationsthereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/orinclude, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including aninformational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesivecoating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, suchas tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such asfor tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency,translucency, opaqueness, luminescence, reflection, phosphorescence,anti-reflection and/or holography, a photo-sensitive coating, anelectronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity,insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, awater-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or anycombinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, canbe rigid, flexible, and/or any other combinations thereof. Any and/orall elements, as disclosed herein, can be identical and/or differentfrom each other in material, shape, size, color and/or any measurabledimension, such as length, width, height, depth, area, orientation,perimeter, volume, breadth, density, temperature, resistance, and soforth.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Variousterms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in acontext of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealizedand/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and“upper” can be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrativedrawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientationdepicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example,if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turnedover, then various elements described as being on a “lower” side ofother elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of otherelements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures wereturned over, then various elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements would then be oriented “above” other elements. Therefore,various example terms “below” and “lower” can encompass both anorientation of above and below.

As used herein, a term “about” and/or “substantially” refers to a +/−10%variation from a nominal value/term. Such variation is always includedin any given value/term provided herein, whether or not such variationis specifically referred thereto.

FIG. 1 shows a back perspective view of an embodiment of a boat havingan outboard motor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pairof rudders according to this disclosure. In particular, a boat 100includes a hull 102 having a bow 104 and a stern 106. The boat 100includes a starboard side 108 and a port side 110, each spanning betweenthe bow 104 and the stern 106. The boat 100 includes a pair of opposingcleats 112 secured to the hull 102 between the bow 104 and the stern106, such as via fastening, clamping, mating, or other ways. The boat100 includes a cockpit 114 between the bow 104 and the stern 106, withthe cockpit 114 containing an instrument panel equipped with a steeringwheel 116 and a set of input devices 118, such as buttons, levers,dials, or others, whether analog or digital. The boat 100 includes atransom 120 at the stern 106, where the transom 120 spans between thestarboard side 108 and the port side 110. The boat 100 includes anoutboard motor 122 that is secured to the transom 120, such as viafastening, clamping, mating, or other ways. The outboard motor 122 iscontrolled via the instrument panel. For example, the instrument panelcan control propulsion, such as via the set of input devices 118, orsteering, such as via the steering wheel 116, of the boat 100 via theoutboard motor 122.

The outboard motor 122 includes a powerhead section 124, a midsection128, and a lower unit 130, with the midsection 128 being securelyinterposed between the powerhead section 124 and the lower unit 130. Thepowerhead section 124 contains a power source, such as an internalcombustion engine, which may be gasoline based, or an electric motor,which may be battery based. The powerhead section 124 includes a cowling126 enclosing the power source and detachably attached to the powerheadsection 124, such as via mating, fastening, clamping, or other ways. Themidsection 128 contains a shaft which is mechanically linked, such asvia a set of meshing gears, to the power source such that the shaft isable to rotate when the power source is driven. The lower unit 130includes a jet drive containing an intake portion 138, an impeller, anda jet outlet portion 132. The impeller is rigidly mounted onto theshaft, such as within or in proximity of the jet outlet portion 132. Thejet outlet portion 132 includes a nozzle 140, which is circular inshape, but may be of any closed shape, such as triangular, oval, square,rectangular, parallelogramic, trapezoidal, pentagonal, octagonal, orothers. The jet outlet portion 132 is directionally adjustable along aplane generally parallel to the midsection 128, such as a verticalplane, such as up and down, although lateral adjustment is possible,such as along a plane generally perpendicular to the midsection 128,such as a horizontal plane, such as toward the starboard side 108 or theport side 110. The lower unit 130 includes a pair of stabilizer plates134 and a pair of rudders 136. The stabilizer plates 134 outwardlyextend from the lower unit 130, whether identical to or different fromeach other in direction or orientation, such as in T-shape manners. Therudders 136 extend from the stabilizer plates 134, whether identical toor different from each other in direction or orientation, such asgenerally perpendicularly. As the power source (in the powerhead section124) drives the impeller (in the lower unit 130) through the shaft (inthe midsection 128), water is (1) input, such as via negative pressure,into the intake portion 138, (2) directed toward the impeller such thatthe impeller impels the water toward the jet outlet portion 132, and (3)output through the nozzle 140 such that the boat 100 is propelled in adirection opposite the output of the water. Note that although theoutboard motor 122 is jet drive based, in other embodiments, theoutboard motor 122 is propeller based, whether additional to oralternative to the jet drive.

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of an embodiment of a lower unit ofan outboard motor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pairof rudders according to this disclosure. FIG. 3 shows a lateral profileview of an embodiment of an outboard motor equipped with a pair ofstabilizer plates and a pair of rudders according to this disclosure. Inparticular, each of the stabilizer plates 134 includes a first endportion 148 and a second end portion 150, where the first end portion148 and the second end portion 150 oppose each other and a respectiverudder 136 extends from that stabilizer plate 134 between the first endportion 148 and the second end portion 150. The first end portion 148 isproximal to the jet outlet portion 132 and the second end portion 150 isdistal to the jet outlet portion 132. Although the stabilizer plates 134are distinct L-shaped units, the stabilizer plates 134 can be in asingle unitary unit, such as a U-shaped or C-shaped unit. At least oneof the stabilizer plates 134 can include any rigid or flexible, solid orperforated material suitable for water use, such as plastic, metal,rubber, wood, or others. Although the stabilizer plates 134 areidentical to each other in structure, material, shape, or othercharacteristics, the stabilizer plates 134 can differ from each other instructure, material, shape, or other characteristics.

Each of the stabilizer plates 134 includes a set of bores 142 boredbetween the first end portion 148 and the second end portion 150.Although the set of bores 142 includes three bores, any number of boresmay be used, such as at least one bore. Although the set of bores 142extends rectilinearly, any non-linear, such as a closed shape, orlinear, such as sinusoidal, arcuate, or others, extension is possible.Although the set of bores 142 includes three identically structuredbores, any structure of bores or structure combination of bores may beused, whether identical to or different from each other in variousmeasureable characteristics, such as in diameter, depth, shape, innersurface texture, threading (male/female), or others.

Although each of the rudders 136 is shaped as a right trapezoid, anytrapezoidal structure is possible, such as acute, obtuse, or others.Likewise, non-trapezoidal structure is possible as well, such as arectangle, a square, a semi-circle/oval, a triangle, or others. Althougheach of the rudders 136 is cross-sectionally wedge-shaped, othercross-sectional shapes are possible, such as rectangular, circular,oval, or others. At least one of the rudders 136 can include any rigidor flexible, solid or perforated material suitable for water use, suchas plastic, metal, rubber, wood, or others, whether identical to ordifferent from the material included in at least one of the stabilizerplates 134. Although the rudders 136 are identical to each other instructure, material, shape, symmetry, or other characteristics, therudders 136 can differ from each other in structure, material, shape,symmetry, or other characteristics.

Each of the rudders 136 includes a base 152, a pair of lateral sides154, a leading edge portion 156, and a back portion 158, where the base152 spans between the leading edge portion 156 and the back portion 158and where the pair of lateral sides 154 generally perpendicularly extendfrom the base 152 and the back portion 158, although generalnon-perpendicular extension is possible, such as acute or obtuse. Theleading edge portion 156 is outwardly tapered towards the pair oflateral sides 154.

The base 152 includes a set of wells 146 formed between the pair oflateral sides 154 and between the leading edge portion 156 and the backportion 158. Although the set of wells 146 includes three wells, anynumber of wells may be used, such as at least one well. Although the setof wells 146 extends rectilinearly, any non-linear, such as a closedshape, or linear, such as sinusoidal, arcuate, or others, extension ispossible. Although the set of wells 146 includes three identicallystructured wells, any structure of wells or structure combination ofwells may be used, whether identical to or different from each other invarious measureable characteristics, such as in diameter, depth, shape,inner surface texture, threading (male/female), or others.

The rudders 136 are secured to the stabilizer plates 134 via a set offasteners 144, whether rigid or flexible, such as screws or bolts, whichmay include metal, plastic, rubber, wood, or other suitable materials.Although the set of fasteners 144 includes three fasteners, any numberof fasteners may be used, such as at least one fastener. Although theset of fasteners 144 includes three identically structured fasteners,any structure of fasteners or structure combination of fasteners may beused, whether identical to or different from each other in variousmeasureable characteristics, such as in diameter, depth, shape, outersurface texture, threading (male/female), or others. Note that therudders 136 avoid extending vertically lower than the intake portion138, such as to allow for shallow water operation, although extendingpast the intake portion 138 is possible, such as for non-shallow wateroperation.

Although the rudders 136 are secured to the stabilizer plates 134 viathe set of fasteners 144, the rudders 136 can be secured to thestabilizer plates 134 in other ways. For example, some of such waysinclude clamping, mating, interlocking, adhering, magnetizing,hook-and-looping, sowing, nailing, stitching, welding, casting, or anyothers. Additionally, the rudders 136 and the stabilizer plates 134 canalso be unitary, such as a single monolithic piece.

Although the rudders 136 and the stabilizer plates 134 are in T-shaperelationships, such as generally perpendicular, other relationships arepossible, such as generally non-perpendicular, such as acute or obtuse.Note that at least one of the rudders 136 can extend from at least oneof the stabilizer plates 134 from any point between the first endportion 148 and the second end portion 150, such as within 9/10 of thatdistance, within 8/10 of that distance, within 7/10 of that distance,within 6/10 of that distance, within 5/10 of that distance, within 4/10of that distance, within 3/10 of that distance, within 2/10 of thatdistance, or within 1/10 of that distance, as measured between the firstend portion 148 and the second end portion 150. For example, if thatdistance is about 10 inches, then that rudder 136 can be secured at anypoint within those 10 inches, such as at within 9 inches from the firstend portion 148 or within 5 inches from the second end portion 150 orany others, inclusively. In some embodiments, an advantage to securingthat rudder 136 between the first end portion 148 and the second endportion 150, such as within ¾ or ⅔ of that distance, is that suchstructure causes less cavitation, which causes the boat 100 to rockside-to-side by air bubbles trapped under the boat 100, as produced bythe water output of the outboard motor 122. Likewise, such configurationcan also control the boat 100 at any speed, while effectively reducingsideways or lateral slide and water skidding while turning the boat 100.However, in some embodiments, that rudder 136 can be secured at thefirst end portion 148 or at the second end portion 150.

In one mode of operation, a user can access the outboard motor 122including the jet outlet portion 132 and the stabilizer plate 134, wherethe stabilizer plate 134 includes the first end portion 148 and thesecond end portion 150, where the first end portion 148 is proximal tothe jet outlet portion 132, where the second end portion 150 is distalto the jet outlet portion 132; and couple the rudder 136 to thestabilizer plate 134 between the first end portion 148 and the secondend portion 150.

In one mode of operation, a user can operate the boat 100 with theoutboard motor 122 where the outboard motor 122 is equipped with the jetoutlet portion 132 and the stabilizer plate 134, where the stabilizerplate 134 includes the first end portion 148 and the second end portion150, where the first end portion 148 is proximal to the jet outletportion 132, where the second end portion 150 is distal to the jetoutlet portion 132, and the rudder 136 extends from the stabilizer plate134 between the first end portion 148 and the second end portion 150.

FIG. 4 shows a lateral profile view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudderswhere the stabilizer plates can rotate with respect to a lower unit ofthe outboard motor according to this disclosure. In particular, theoutboard motor 122 includes a pair of shafts 160 rigidly secured to thelower unit 130 on opposing sides thereof in opposing directions fromeach other, while extending along the transom 120, such that the shafts160 can be independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslydriven by the power source enclosed via the cowling 126 andindependently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslycontrollably rotated about their respective axes, such as within apredefined rotation range, such as between about 0 and about 90 degrees,although higher amounts are possible, such as about 360 degrees, orfreely rotate. The shafts 160 can avoid extending out of the lower unit130 or extend out of the lower unit 130. The shafts 160 can be rigid orflexible, solid or perforated and include any suitable material, such asplastic, metal, rubber, wood, or others. The stabilizer plates 134 arerigidly secured to the shafts 160 at any points thereof, such asexternal to the lower unit 130. As such, when the shafts 160controllably rotate about their axes, the stabilizer plates 134 aremoved clockwise or counterclockwise, such as up or down, as illustratedin FIG. 4.

Note that this controlled movement is independently or dependently,synchronously or asynchronously controlled at the instrument panel, suchas via the set of input devices 118, such as via a set of hydraulicequipment, a set of pneumatic equipment, a set of cables, a set ofmeshing gears, or any other actuation technology within the boat 100 andwithin the outboard motor 122 and can be manually powered or, as notedabove, independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslypowered via the power source enclosed via the cowling 126. Further, notethat this controlled movement can be manually synchronously orasynchronously controlled, such as via the set of input devices 118, orautomatically synchronously or asynchronously controlled, such as aprocessing circuit, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as based on a set of data feeds from a set ofinput devices, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as a camera, a sonar, a radar, an ultrasonicsensor, a laser, or others. In some embodiments, a single shaft 160 isused, where the stabilizer plates 134 are secured thereto and the singleshaft 160 spans laterally along the transom 120 through the lower unit130 and extends outside of the lower unit 130 on both sides in opposingdirections to which the stabilizer plates 134 are attached, which may beremovably. In some embodiments, the rudders 136 extend from the shaft(s)160, without the stabilizer plates 134, such as assembled, such as viafastening, mating, adhering, or others, including any assemblingmethodology disclosed herewith, or unitary therewith.

FIG. 5 shows a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboard motorequipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders wherethe stabilizer plates can flap with respect to a lower unit of theoutboard motor according to this disclosure. In particular, the outboardmotor 122 includes a pair of telescoping pneumatic piston-cylinderassemblies 162, each spanning between the midsection 128 and thestabilizer plates 134, although a pair of pivoting mechanical joints ispossible, whether additional or alternative thereto, such as where amechanical joint includes a plurality of bars pivotally attached to eachother for inward/outward folding, such as via a pin, a screw, or abolt/nut. The assemblies 162 oppose each other with the midsection 128positioned therebetween. The assemblies 162 are independently ordependently, synchronously or asynchronously driven via the power sourceenclosed via the cowling 126 and can be independently or dependently,synchronously or asynchronously controlled via the instrument panel,such as via the set of input devices 118.

The lower unit 130 includes a pair of lateral slots, such as verticallyor diagonally ovoid, rectangular, square, or any other closed shape. Thestabilizer plates 134 are attached to the lower unit 130 through suchslots such that the stabilizer plates 134 can flap toward the cowling126 or away from the cowling 126, whether in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction, as the assemblies 162 controllably telescopeoutward and inward. Therefore, when the stabilizer plates 134controllably flap via the assemblies 162, the rudders 136 are movedclockwise or counterclockwise, such as up or down, as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In some embodiments, although the lower unit 130 includes the pair oflateral slots, as noted above, a single slot, such as within a wall, orno slot at all is possible, such as when the stabilizer plates 134 areexternally attached to the lower unit 130, such as when the stabilizerplates 134 together form a C-shape or a U-shape. For example, thestabilizer plates 134 can be attached to the lower unit 130 withoutusing such slots, such as via a pivoting or gear mechanism externallymounted on the lower unit 130. Likewise, note that other ways of pullingor pushing/dropping the stabilizer plates 134 are possible. For example,the stabilizer plates 134 can flap via a set of gears or pulley systemsinternal to the lower unit 130 or an electric motor securely housedwithin the lower unit 130.

Note that this controlled flapping movement is independently ordependently, synchronously or asynchronously controlled at theinstrument panel, such as via the set of input devices 118, such as viaa set of hydraulic equipment, a set of pneumatic equipment, a set ofcables, a set of meshing gears, or any other actuation technology withinthe boat 100 and within the outboard motor 122 and can be manuallypowered or, as noted above, independently or dependently, synchronouslyor asynchronously powered via the power source enclosed via the cowling126. Further, note that this controlled movement can be manuallysynchronously or asynchronously controlled, such as via the set of inputdevices 118, or automatically synchronously or asynchronouslycontrolled, such as a processing circuit, whether local to or remotefrom the boat 100 or the outboard motor 122, such as based on a set ofdata feeds from a set of input devices, whether local to or remote fromthe boat 100 or the outboard motor 122, such as a camera, a sonar, aradar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser, or others.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudderswhere the rudders are able to rotate with respect to the stabilizerplates according to this disclosure. In particular, the lower unit 130includes a pair of shafts rotationally attached to the stabilizer plates134, such as perpendicularly or non-perpendicularly, such as acute orobtuse, and rigidly attached to the rudders 136 such that when theshafts controllably rotate about their axes, the rudders 136 are rotatedthereby. The shafts can be independently or dependently, synchronouslyor asynchronously driven by the power source enclosed via the cowling126 and independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslycontrollably rotated about their respective axes, such as within apredefined rotation range, such as between about 0 and about 90 degrees,although higher amounts are possible, such as about 360 degrees, orfreely rotate. The shafts can avoid extending out of the stabilizerplates 134 or the rudders 136 or extend out of the stabilizer plates 134or the rudders 136. The shafts can be rigid or flexible, solid orperforated and include any suitable material, such as plastic, metal,rubber, wood, or others. The stabilizer plates 134 and the rudders 136are rigidly secured to the shafts at any points thereof. As such, whenthe shafts controllably rotate about their axes with respect to thestabilizer plates 134, the rudders 136 are rotated between a set ofpositions, such as when the lateral sides 154 face the nozzle 140 oravoid facing the nozzle 140.

Note that this controlled movement is independently or dependently,synchronously or asynchronously controlled at the instrument panel, suchas via the set of input devices 118, such as via a set of hydraulicequipment, a set of pneumatic equipment, a set of cables, a set ofmeshing gears, or any other actuation technology within the boat 100 andwithin the outboard motor 122 and can be manually powered or, as notedabove, independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslypowered via the power source enclosed via the cowling 126. Further, notethat this controlled movement can be manually synchronously orasynchronously controlled, such as via the set of input devices 118, orautomatically synchronously or asynchronously controlled, such as aprocessing circuit, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as based on a set of data feeds from a set ofinput devices, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as a camera, a sonar, a radar, an ultrasonicsensor, a laser, or others.

FIG. 7 shows a back profile view of an embodiment of an outboard motorequipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders wherethe rudders are able to travel along the stabilizer plates according tothis disclosure. In particular, the stabilizer plates 134 includes aplurality of rails/tracks 164 longitudinally extending therein orthereon, such as in a rectilinear, sinusoidal, arcuate, or othermanners. Correspondingly, the rudders 136 are operably coupled to therails/tracks 164 such that the rudders 136 can controllably travel alongthe rails/tracks 164 between the first end portion 148 and the secondend portion 150, as powered manually or via the drive source enclosedvia the cowling 126. For example, such travel can be via a wheeledplatform, a chain, a timing belt, or others.

Note that this controlled movement is independently or dependently,synchronously or asynchronously controlled at the instrument panel, suchas via the set of input devices 118, such as via a set of hydraulicequipment, a set of pneumatic equipment, a set of cables, a set ofmeshing gears, or any other actuation technology within the boat 100 andwithin the outboard motor 122 and can be manually powered or, as notedabove, independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslypowered via the power source enclosed via the cowling 126. Further, notethat this controlled movement can be manually synchronously orasynchronously controlled, such as via the set of input devices 118, orautomatically synchronously or asynchronously controlled, such as aprocessing circuit, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as based on a set of data feeds from a set ofinput devices, whether local to or remote from the boat 100 or theoutboard motor 122, such as a camera, a sonar, a radar, an ultrasonicsensor, a laser, or others.

FIG. 8 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboard motor equippedwith a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of rudders where the ruddersare able to pivot with respect to the stabilizer plates according tothis disclosure. In particular, the outboard motor 122 includes a pairof cables 166 and a pair of pulley wheels 168, where the cables 166 aretaut and span between the midsection 128 and the rudders 136 over thepulley wheels 168, with the cables 166 being secured to the rudders 136,such as via an anchor point, such as a closed loop or a bracket, and tothe midsection 128, such as via a reel housed within the lower unit 130,which may be manually or automatically driven, as disclosed herein, suchas via a set of gears driven via the power source covered via thecowling 126. The cables 166 oppose each other with the midsection 128positioned therebetween. The cables 166 are independently ordependently, synchronously or asynchronously pulled/rolled orloosened/unrolled via the power source enclosed via the cowling 126 andcan be independently or dependently, synchronously or asynchronouslycontrolled via the instrument panel, such as via the set of inputdevices 118. As such, the rudders 136 can be inwardly/outwardlycontrollably pivoted via the cables 166 being pulled/rolled (the rudders136 pivot toward the second end portions 150) or loosened/unrolled (therudders 136 pivot away from the second end portions 150), as shown inFIG. 8.

In some embodiments, whether additional to or alternative from thecables 166, the outboard motor 122 includes chains, ropes, or belts tautand extending over the pulley wheels 168. In some embodiments, thepulley wheels 168 are absent and the stabilizer plates 134 include apair of grooves at the second end portions 150, which can be U-shaped orC-shaped, and the cables 166 extend through the grooves. The cables 166and the pulley wheels 168 can include metal, plastic, wood, rubber, orother suitable materials, and can be identical to or different from eachother in any measureable characteristic, such as material, size,braiding, wiring, grooves, sheathing, length, diameter, weight, size,cross-section, weight, or other characteristics. Note that other ways ofpivoting the rudders 136 are possible. For example, whether additionalto or alternative from the cables 166, the stabilizer plates 134 caninternally or externally host a pair of motors or a pair of gear trains,which pivot the rudders 136 toward/away the second end portions 150. Insome embodiments, the rudders 136 can be pivoted towards the first endportions 148.

Note that this controlled pivoting movement is independently ordependently, synchronously or asynchronously controlled at theinstrument panel, such as via the set of input devices 118, such as viaa set of hydraulic equipment, a set of pneumatic equipment, a set ofcables, a set of meshing gears, or any other actuation technology withinthe boat 100 and within the outboard motor 122 and can be manuallypowered or, as noted above, independently or dependently, synchronouslyor asynchronously powered via the power source enclosed via the cowling126. Further, note that this controlled movement can be manuallysynchronously or asynchronously controlled, such as via the set of inputdevices 118, or automatically synchronously or asynchronouslycontrolled, such as a processing circuit, whether local to or remotefrom the boat 100 or the outboard motor 122, such as based on a set ofdata feeds from a set of input devices, whether local to or remote fromthe boat 100 or the outboard motor 122, such as a camera, a sonar, aradar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser, or others.

FIG. 9 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboard motor equippedwith a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of co-aligned ruddersextending from each of the stabilizer plates according to thisdisclosure. FIG. 10 shows a back view of an embodiment of an outboardmotor equipped with a pair of stabilizer plates and a pair of offsetrudders extending from each of the stabilizer plates according to thisdisclosure. In particular, at least one of the stabilizer plates 134includes a lower side 135A and an upper side 135B. The lower side 135Ahas the rudder 136A extend therefrom, whether directly or indirectly, asdisclosed herein, whether perpendicularly or non-perpendicularly, fromany point on the side 135A. The upper side 135B has the rudder 136Bextend therefrom, whether directly or indirectly, as disclosed herein,whether perpendicularly or non-perpendicularly, from any point on theupper side 135B. The rudder 136A and the rudder 136B can be co-alignedwith each other, as shown in FIG. 9. The rudder 136A and the rudder 136Bcan be offset with each other. Likewise, the rudder 136A can be parallelor non-parallel to the rudder 136B. Although the rudder 136A and therudder 136B are structurally identical, the rudder 136A and the rudder136B can be structurally different or different in any other measureablecharacteristics, such as size, shape, material, weight, orientation, orothers.

In some embodiments, at least one of the rudders 136A or 136B or atleast one of the stabilizer plates 134 can include a sensor or any otheranalog or digital device. For example, the sensor can sense any waterproperty, such as temperature, or sense an object thereabout, such asvia sound waves, such as via a sonar, or imagery, such as via a camera,such as living, such as a marine being, such as fish, or non-living,such as debris or devices, such as marine bed junk or submarines.

In some embodiments, at least one of the rudders 136A or 136B or atleast one of the stabilizer plates 134 includes a light source, such asa light emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent bulb, an incandescent bulb,a black light, or others. The light source is powered via a wireextending between the lower unit 130 and the powerhead section 124through the midsection 128, where the wire conducts an electric current,whether alternating or direct, from the power source enclosed via thecowling 126 to the light source.

FIGS. 11A, 11B show a schematic view of an embodiment of a rudder and astabilizer plate according to this disclosure. To mount the rudders 136using the set of fasteners 144, a centerline of each of the stabilizerplates 134 is found, a set of parallel lines is drawn on either side ofa jet nozzle clearance area on each of the stabilizer plates 134 thatare of equal distance from the centerline. The rudders 136 have threewells 146 on a long flat end, such as the base 152, that are spaced twoinches from a square end, such as the back portion 158, and two inchesbetween each of the wells 146. Likewise, starting from the back portion158 of the stabilizer plate 134, a user can measure two inches in oneach of the parallel lines and drill a bore 142 through the stabilizerplate 134 and measure two inches more and drill another bore 142, andagain two more inches and drill the bore 142. Using an 80 degreecountersink bit, the user can countersink each bore 142 to fit thefastener 144 until a head of the fastener 144 is flush with thestabilizer plate 134. Note that is describes one example embodiment andother embodiments are possible, as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, various functions or acts can take place at a givenlocation and/or in connection with the operation of one or moreapparatuses or systems. In some embodiments, a portion of a givenfunction or act can be performed at a first device or location, and aremainder of the function or act can be performed at one or moreadditional devices or locations.

Various corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents ofall means or step plus function elements in claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing that function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

This description has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive and/or limitedto a form disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques andstructures will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in relevant artwithout departing from a scope and spirit of this disclosure as setforth in the claims that follow. Accordingly, such modifications andvariations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure. A scopeof this disclosure is defined by various claims, which include knownequivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at a time of filing of thisdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An outboard motor comprising: a lower unit havinga port side and a starboard side; a first stabilizer plate having afirst end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first stabilizerplate extends from the port side in a first direction away from the portside such that (1) the first end portion is proximal to the port side,(2) the second end portion is distal to the port side, and (3) the firstend portion opposes the second end portion; a first rudder extendingfrom the first stabilizer plate between the first end portion and thesecond end portion; a second stabilizer plate having a third end portionand a fourth end portion, wherein the second stabilizer plate extendsfrom the starboard side in a second direction away from the starboardside such that (1) the third end portion is proximal to the starboardside, (2) the fourth end portion is distal to the starboard side, and(3) the third end portion opposes the fourth end portion, wherein thefirst direction is opposite the second direction; and a second rudderextending from the second stabilizer plate between the third end portionand the fourth end portion.
 2. The outboard motor of claim 1, wherein atleast one of first rudder or the second rudder is flexible.
 3. Theoutboard motor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rudder orthe second rudder controllably moves with respect to at least one of thefirst stabilizer plate or the second stabilizer plate, respectively. 4.The outboard motor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rudderor the second rudder includes a sensor.
 5. The outboard motor of claim1, wherein at least one of the first rudder or the second rudder and atleast one of the first stabilizer plate or the second stabilizer plateare in a T-shape relationship, respectively.
 6. The outboard motor ofclaim 1, wherein the first rudder is parallel to the second rudder. 7.The outboard motor of claim 1, wherein the first rudder is non-parallelto the second rudder.
 8. The outboard motor of claim 1, furthercomprising: a third rudder coupled to at least one of the firststabilizer plate or the second stabilizer plate.
 9. The outboard motorof claim 8, wherein the third rudder extends from the at least one ofthe first stabilizer plate or the second stabilizer plate between atleast one of the first end portion and the second end portion or thethird end portion and the fourth end portion respectively.
 10. Theoutboard motor of claim 1, wherein the rudder includes a light source.11. An outboard motor comprising: a lower unit having a port side and astarboard side; a single stabilizer plate having a first end portion anda second end portion, wherein the lower unit is positioned between thefirst end portion and the second end portion such that (1) the port sideopposes the first end portion and (2) the starboard side opposes thesecond end portion, a first rudder extending from the single stabilizerplate between the port side and the first end portion; a second rudderextending from the single stabilizer plate between the starboard sideand second end portion.
 12. The outboard motor of claim 11, wherein atleast one of first rudder or the second rudder is flexible.
 13. Theoutboard motor of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first rudder orthe second rudder controllably moves with respect to the singlestabilizer plate.
 14. The outboard motor of claim 11, wherein at leastone of the first rudder or the second rudder includes a sensor.
 15. Theoutboard motor of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first rudder orthe second rudder and the single stabilizer plate are in a T-shaperelationship.
 16. The outboard motor of claim 11, wherein the firstrudder is parallel to the second rudder.
 17. The outboard motor of claim11, wherein the first rudder is non-parallel to the second rudder. 18.The outboard motor of claim 11, further comprising: a third ruddercoupled to the single stabilizer plate.
 19. The outboard motor of claim18, wherein the third rudder extends from the single stabilizer platebetween at least one of between the port side and the first end portionor the starboard side and the second end portion.
 20. The outboard motorof claim 11, wherein the rudder includes a light source.
 21. Theoutboard motor of claim 11, wherein the single stabilizer plate includesa U-shaped portion from which the first rudder and the second rudderextend.
 22. The outboard motor of claim 11, wherein the singlestabilizer plate includes a C-shaped portion from which the first rudderand the second rudder extend.